A local sex offender has been charged again for similar crimes.
MILLER
The Union County Grand Jury recently indicted James Richard Miller, 64, of 630 E. Sixth St., Marysville. Miller is charged with one count each of rape and attempted rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition. The charges stem from an alleged series of incidents between 2009 and 2013 when the victim was 6 to 9 years old.
Phillips said the girl did not come forward at the time. Now a young woman, the victim has come forward.
“It is not unusual for children not to reveal sexual abuse,” Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said.
The prosecutor said the victim has had a series of “issues that she has struggled with since the alleged incidents.”
Her said the woman, a relative, has had counseling to help her with those issues and it is that counseling that helped her to come forward.
In 2013, Miller, was charged with one count each of rape and gross sexual imposition involving a different victim.
Phillips said Miller was related to his alleged victim.
According to court documents, the child was 7 years old when the alleged incident occurred.
“It was observed by the child’s mother and she reported it to police and confronted him,” Phillips said at the time.
Miller eventually pleaded to gross sexual imposition of a minor and the rape charge was dropped by prosecutors. He was sentenced to an agreed upon three year-prison term. Additionally, Common Pleas Court Judge Don Fraser labeled Miller a Tier 2 sexual offender and a child-victim offender. Miller was ordered to report his address to the Sheriff’s Office every 180 day for 25 years.
Miller was also put on five years of community control once he was released from prison.
If convicted for the rape of a child under 10 comes with a mandatory life sentence — life or life without parole.
Also indicted was:
-Brandon Lee Sam Ray, 30, of Columbus. Ray is charged with one count of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
According to court documents, at 1:01 a.m., April 17, Ray was driving east on U.S. 33 in Milcreek Township. Ray was pulled over for speeding. He was allegedly traveling 96 miles per hour on the freeway. Investigators found alleged marijuana as well as a gun with ammunition in the car.
If convicted, Ray could face as many as 18 months in prison.
-Andrew Scott Greenwood, 34, of Grove City. Greenwood is charged with burglary and two counts of theft. Because of his prior activities, Greenwood had been told he was not allowed in Home Depot stores anymore. According to court documents, on Aug. 28, Greenwood allegedly went into the local Home Depot store and used a credit card from a former employer to purchase more than $1,100 in merchandise. The employer said Greenwood did not have permission to use or have the credit card.
Phillips explained the burglary charge was added because Greenwood was allegedly trespassing at the time to commit a crime.
If convicted, Greenwood could face as many as 10 years in prison.
-Caleb Z. Parish, 23, of 128 E. Ottawa St., Richwood. Parish is charged with one count of receiving stolen property. According to court documents, on Aug. 18, Parish was found with a dirt bike that had been reported stolen. Parish lives with his mother and the bike was in the detached garage of that house.
Parish has a lengthy criminal history for theft and other theft related offenses.
If convicted, Parish could face as mans as 18 months in prison.